Target pigeon and a method of launching such a target pigeon

ABSTRACT

The invention comprises a target pigeon of the type which is used in sport shooting such as trap shooting, and which is fired in such a manner that the propeller-shaped wings ( 10 ) of the target pigeon move it in an unpredictable trajectory. The invention moreover comprises a method of launching target pigeons. An object of the present invention is to provide a target pigeon which has a very low effective height when it is stacked. Another object is to provide a target pigeon and a method of launching the target pigeon, where it is not necessary to orient the pigeon relative to the retaining and force-transferring means on the launching machine. The novel aspects of the invention comprise interconnecting the wing part ( 4 ) and the witness part ( 6 ) structurally, and applying energy for launching via the witness part ( 6 ), thereby ensuring that the witness part ( 6 ) can impart both strength and rigidity to the target pigeon, which may be used for a saving on the wing part ( 4 ) so that the total costs are reduced When energy for launching is applied via the witness part ( 6 ) it is moreover ensured that there is no need for parts of the wing part ( 4 ) to be present around the centre of the target pigeon, but instead only parts of the witness part ( 6 ). This makes it easier to see the witness part ( 6 ) from all angles and minimizes the shade effect of the wing part ( 4 ), just as the effective height for stacking is made as low as possible.

[0001] The invention relates to a target pigeon having a witness part of the type which is used in sport shooting such as trap shooting, and which is launched in such a manner that the propeller-shaped wings of the target pigeon move it in an unpredictable trajectory which extends across an area in which pellets are fired at the target pigeon. The invention moreover relates to a method of launching target pigeons of the above-mentioned type.

[0002] Target pigeons provided with a witness part are known e.g. from U.S. Pat. No. 4,218,061, which describes a target pigeon where the witness part is mounted manually prior to launching, and where both the witness part and the wing part are intended for re-use. After collection of wing parts and witness parts, the target pigeon may be assembled by clamping the witness and then arranging it in means intended therefore. The target pigeon according to U.S. Pat. No. 4,218,061 may moreover be stacked when it has been remounted, as the opening provided in the centre of the wing part is formed with a larger diameter than the outermost projection on the witness part. Target pigeons of the type described here have a number of drawbacks, however, which have a disturbing effect or are direct inexpedient in the use of the current type of target pigeons. One of the essential factors which should desirably be improved is minimizing the time it takes to manually collect and remount the target pigeons already launched. To ensure that the target pigeons, which are launched when the shooter activates the launching mechanism, are 100% in order and do not separate the witness part from the wing part prematurely, all the individual witness parts and wing parts must be subjected to a visual inspection and sorting so that damaged parts are not remounted. This process is a time-consuming manual operation, just as the collection of the parts is time-consuming. For the parts of the target pigeons to be used repeatedly, better and thereby considerably more expensive materials must be used, which increases the costs. Another drawback of the above-mentioned target pigeon is its stacking height which is of a significant size in the embodiment described, which means that not very many target pigeons can be provided in a magazine if it is to be possible to handle the magazine without difficulty. Then, shooting must be stopped frequently for reloading of the magazine, which is disturbing and makes it difficult for the shooters to find a good rhythm. A further drawback is that since the target pigeons are to be used again, the parts must not break when they are hit. Therefore, the pellets must apply a sufficient force to separate the witness from the means that retain it to the wing part. However, the effect of the force relative to the means depends on which angle and position the pigeon has when it is hit. Thus, at some angles it will be possible that a shot releasing the witness at one angle does not cause release at another angle. Thus, the shooting will comprise an undesirable element of chance. A further drawback of the known types of target pigeons is that also in another way there is no optimum showing of hits. This is taken to mean a shot fired at the target pigeon which hits the pigeon, but does not cause separation of the witness from the wing part, because the witness part is partially protected by shading projections on the wing part. These projections are of different sizes on different types of target pigeons, but it is common to all of them that the projections entail a possibility of non-showing of a potential hit. This drawback is particularly great for types where the parts are to be used again, because these are made of materials which are specially resistant to the pellets, which therefore cannot penetrate the shading projections.

[0003] GB 2,055,588 discloses a target pigeon with a propellor part and a witness part placed on top of each other. Energy for launched is applied to the central web part of the propellor part via two elongated holes. Such a target pigeon has several disadvantages, e.g. that the stacking height is very high, such that only a small number may be placed in the magazine of the launching mechanism, and that the web part of the propellor part is protectively shading the bottom of the witness part, whereby the target pigeon may be hit without the witness part being separated from the propellor part.

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a target pigeon which has a very low effective height when it is stacked. Another object is to provide a target pigeon which is suitable for automatic launching. Another object is to provide a target pigeon where release of the witness when the target pigeon is hit by pellets is improved over the known types of target pigeons. A further object is to provide a method of launching target pigeons which are suitable for automatic launching. Still a further object is to provide a target pigeon and a method of launching the target pigeon where it is not necessary to orient the target pigeon relative to the retaining and force-transferring means on the launching machine. Still a further object is to provide a target pigeon where the consumption of materials is minimized and thereby also the costs of the target pigeon.

[0005] The novel and characterizing features of the invention are that the target pigeon comprises a wing part having a substantially ring-shaped body, at least one of the wing part and the witness part comprising means for structural interconnection of the wing part and the witness part, and that the target pigeon is intended to ensure that energy for launching is applied via the witness part.

[0006] By interconnecting the wing part and the witness part structurally and by applying energy for launching via the witness part it is ensured that the witness part may impart both strength and rigidity to the target pigeon, which may be utilized for a saving on the wing part, thereby reducing the overall costs. By applying energy for launching via the witness part it is ensured that there is no need for parts of the wing part to be present around the centre of the target pigeon, but instead just parts of the witness part. This makes it easier to see the witness part from all angles and minimizes the shading of the wing part. Another advantage is that the target pigeon may be constructed with an effective height for stacking, which is considerably smaller than the known types of target pigeons, because the witness may be positioned at the same level as the parts of the target pigeon which are affected considerably by the force of the launching, instead of on top.

[0007] The witness part may comprise a substantially plane and circular disc, said disc comprising a central hole, and launching energy may be applied to the target pigeon at the hole. This results in a geometry of the witness part which is suitable for making a considerable contribution to the strength and rigidity of the target pigeon, and ensures that the target pigeon does not have to be oriented relative to the retaining and force-transferring means on the launching machine. Hereby, the launching machine may be made simpler and less expensive and is easier to automatize.

[0008] In an embodiment, the rim of the hole may comprise a toothing making it suitable for force-transferring engagement with the launching machine, and this is easy to achieve without having to orient the target pigeon relative to the retaining and force-transferring means on the launching machine.

[0009] In another embodiment, the witness part may comprise at least one hole which is offset from the centre, so that the target pigeon may also be launched from launching machines of known types.

[0010] The witness part may comprise at least one face which is angled relative to the disc, so that the witness part has a 3-dimensional extent and can be seen more easily, irrespective of the angle at which it is seen.

[0011] The target pigeon may be supplied as an assembled unit consisting of wing part and witness part, so that it is ready for use right away and does not require time-consuming manual assembly beforehand.

[0012] When the witness part is separated from the wing part when the target pigeon is hit by pellets from a shot, a sure visual indication and verification of whether the target pigeon has been hit or not is achieved.

[0013] When the witness part may be embedded in the wing part, it is ensured that the target pigeon may be made by double moulding in the same mould, thereby obviating further handling or assembly.

[0014] When the effective height at stacking of the target pigeon is less than 10 mm, and is less than 5 mm in a preferred embodiment, it is ensured that a considerable number of target pigeons may be placed in the magazine of a launching machine, so that comprehensive shootings may be completed without undue interruption.

[0015] When the witness part and/or the wing part may be made of a biologically degradable material, it is ensured that time-consuming clearing may be obviated without a negative impact on the environment.

[0016] In an embodiment, the wing part may be made of a material which comes to pieces when hit by shot-cartridges. This gives a great certainty of the witness part being separated, thereby ensuring a certain verification of whether the target pigeon has been hit or not.

[0017] The target pigeon may be launched by an automatic launching machine, said launching machine comprising a magazine for a suitably large number of target pigeons, so that comprehensive shootings may be completed without disturbing interruption.

[0018] The target pigeons may be supplied in a transportable magazine which is suitable for being positioned in a launching machine. This ensures that unnecessary time does not have to be spent on filling a stationarily positioned magazine, while avoiding the risk that the target pigeons are placed wrongly, which is particularly important in automatic launching machines.

[0019] The novelty according to the invention moreover comprises a method which is characterized in that the target pigeon at least comprises a wing part and a witness part which are structurally interconnected, and that the energy for launching the target pigeon is applied via the witness part (6). Hereby a low stacking height is obtained.

[0020] In an embodiment of the method, the energy for launching the target pigeon is applied via a central hole placed in the witness part. This ensures that in the performance of the method it is not necessary to orient the target pigeon relative to the retaining and force-transferring means on the launching machine from which the target pigeon is to be launched.

[0021] When the energy for launching the target pigeon may be applied via at least one hole which is offset from the centre, it is ensured that the method of launching may also be used for known and existing types of launching machines.

[0022] The invention will be explained more fully below with reference to the drawing, in which

[0023]FIG. 1a shows a target pigeon.

[0024]FIG. 1b shows the position of the section c-c on a target pigeon.

[0025]FIG. 2 shows a wing part for a target pigeon.

[0026]FIG. 3 shows a witness part seen from above.

[0027]FIG. 4 shows a witness part seen from below.

[0028]FIG. 5 shows a witness part seen from above.

[0029]FIG. 6 shows a section c-c of a portion of a target pigeon.

[0030]FIG. 7 shows target pigeons in stacked form.

[0031] The figures show examples of embodiments of the invention.

[0032]FIGS. 1a and 1 b show a target pigeon which comprises a wing part 4 and a witness part 6. Also shown is the section c-c which is depicted in FIG. 6.

[0033]FIG. 2 shows a wing part 4 which comprises a substantially ring-shaped body 8 and two wings 10. More than two wings may be provided, e.g. three, four, etc. The ring-shaped body 8 may be provided with a recess 14. The wings 10 are attached to the body 8 and are configured such that they have a propeller effect when the target pigeon rotates.

[0034]FIG. 3 shows a witness part 6 which comprises a discshaped part 15 with a central hole 16. The central hole 16 may be provided with a toothing or other geometry which is suitable for force-transferring engagement with a launching machine. The toothing may be made as bendable teeth so that they may be contacted with the launching machine, without its driving means being in correct position relative to the teeth, the engagement optionally taking place, i.e. the teeth mesh, only when a force is applied from the launching machine. In addition to the disc-shaped part 15, the witness part 6, in the embodiment shown, is provided with a skirt 18 which has recesses 20. The recesses 20 are to make room for the wings 10 on the wing part 4, when the wing part 4 and the witness part 6 are interconnected.

[0035] The wing part 4 and the witness part 6 are preferably made of plastics and preferably in colours which have a considerable contrast between them. A filler may have been added to the plastics. The witness part 6 is preferably made of a relatively ductile material which is easily penetrated by pellets. The wing part is preferably made of a more fragile or brittle material which splinters and/or comes to pieces when it is hit by pellets, so that the witness part 6 is separated with certainty. The material for the witness part 6 and for the wing part 4 may e.g. be polystyrene, and measures may have been taken to ensure that the wing part 6 splinters more easily than the wing part 4, e.g. by the addition of a filler.

[0036]FIG. 4 shows a witness part 6 which comprises a projection 22. This may engage the recess 14, so that relative rotation between the witness part 6 and the wing part 4 may be prevented. Hereby, the force and the energy from the launching machine may be applied to the witness part 6 and be transferred to the wing part 4. This may be done in several ways which will be evident to a skilled person, including also allowing the recesses 20 to extend toward the wings 10. The recesses 20 may e.g. be provided with a small projection which is suitable for gripping or engaging a wing 10.

[0037]FIG. 5 shows a witness part 6 which comprises two holes 24 that are offset from the centre and arranged at a distance of 180 degrees, making it possible to apply energy for launching of the target pigeon. Hereby, the target pigeon may also be launched on a launching machine of an existing type.

[0038]FIG. 6 shows a witness part 6 and a wing part 4 which are interconnected. In this embodiment, the interconnection has taken place in that the witness part 6 has a protruding edge or edges 28 which have been pressed past an edge 26 on the wing part 4. This interconnection provides a tight engagement between the wing part 4 and the witness part 6, said two parts cooperating structurally and achieving a good common strength and rigidity. This effect may be achieved in several similar ways, which will be evident to a skilled person. The figure moreover shows that a skirt 18 is positioned close to a ring-shaped body 8, thereby minimizing the effective height of the target pigeon.

[0039] When the target pigeon is launched, then it is inter alia caused to rotate at a high speed. This results in considerable stresses in the ring-shaped body 8 which approach the ultimate stress. When the witness part 6 is made of a material which is easily penetrated by pellets, then the body 8 nevertheless splinters quite easily. That is that even though the witness part 6 partly shades the body 8, then the body will splinter nevertheless. Another possibility is that the force from the pellet or pellets penetrate the interconnection, thereby separating the witness part 6.

[0040]FIG. 7 shows a stack of target pigeons according to the invention. As will appear from FIG. 6, the witness part 6 and the wing part 4 may have predominantly parallel faces so that the target pigeons are nested in each other in such a manner that the height of the stack is not increased by more than a few millimetres for each additional pigeon which is added to the stack. This configuration of the target pigeon where the ring-shaped body 8, the skirt 18 and the wings 10 of the wing part 4 are made with inclined faces, provides an optimum low effective height of the stack, as the target pigeons fit in each other. Because of the conicity of the body 8 and the skirt 18, these have a stabilizing effect on the stack of the target pigeons, which is instrumental in ensuring that the target pigeons do not get displaced, thereby minimizing the risk that a target pigeon is e.g. in an oblique position and thereby causes malfunction of the launching machine.

[0041] In the foreoing, the terms target pigeon and pigeon have been used, but these terms are to be considered as having the same meaning. 

1. A target pigeon having a witness part (6) of the type which is used in sport shooting such as trap shooting, and which is launched in such a manner that the propeller-shaped wings (10) of the target pigeon move it in an unpredictable trajectory which extends across an area in which pellets are shot at the target pigeon, characterized in that the target pigeon comprises a wing part (4) having a substantially ring-shaped body (8), at least one of the wing part (4) and the witness part (6) comprising means for structural interconnection of the wing part (4) and the witness part (6), and that the target pigeon is intended to ensure that energy for launching is applied via the witness part (6).
 2. A target pigeon according to claim 1, characterized in that the witness part (6) comprises a substantially plane and circular disc (15), said disc comprising a central hole (16), and that launching energy is applied to the target pigeon at the hole (16).
 3. A target pigeon according to claim 2, characterized in that the rim of the hole (16) comprises a toothing.
 4. A target pigeon according to claim 1, characterized in that the witness part (6) comprises at least one hole which is offset from the centre.
 5. A target pigeon according to one or more of claims 14, characterized in that the witness part (6) comprises at least one face which is angled relative to the disc.
 6. A target pigeon according to one or more of claims 15, characterized in that the target pigeon is supplied as an assembled unit consisting of wing part (4) and witness part (6).
 7. A target pigeon according to one or more of claims 16, characterized in that the witness part (6) is separated from the wing part (4) when the target pigeon is hit by pellets from a shot.
 8. A target pigeon according to one or more of claims 1-7, characterized in that the witness part (6) is embedded in the wing part (4).
 9. A target pigeon according to one or more of claims 1-8, characterized in that the effective height at stacking of the target pigeon is less than 10 mm, and is less than 5 mm in a preferred embodiment.
 10. A target pigeon according to one or more of claims 1-9, characterized in that the witness part (6) and/or the wing part (4) is made of a biologically degradable material.
 11. A target pigeon according to one or more of claims 1-10, characterized in that the wing part (4) is made of a material that comes to pieces when hit by shotcartridges.
 12. A target pigeon according to one or more of claims 1-11, characterized in that the target pigeon is launched by an automatic launching machine, said launching machine comprising a magazine for a suitably large number of target pigeons.
 13. A target pigeon according to one or more of claims 1-12, characterized in that the target pigeons are supplied in a transportable magazine which is suitable for being positioned in a launching machine.
 14. A method of launching a target pigeon of the type which is used in sport shooting such as trap shooting, and which is fired in such a manner that the propeller-shaped wings (10) of the target pigeon move it in an unpredictable trajectory which extends across an area where pellets are fired at the target pigeon, characterized in that the target pigeon comprises at least a wing part (4) and a witness part (6) which are structurally interconnected, and that the energy for launching the target pigeon is applied via the witness part (6).
 15. A method of launching a target pigeon according to claim 15, characterized in that the energy for launching the target pigeon is applied via a central hole placed in the witness part (6).
 16. A method of launching a target pigeon according to claim 15, characterized in that the energy for launching the target pigeon is applied via at least one hole which is offset from the centre. 